Draft R2 #63: Rangers select LW Adam Sýkora (HK Nitra, Slovakia)

[Amazing Kreiderman]

the Google Translate widget in my browser did a fine job.

an interesting part is where he mentions having been in contact with fellow Slovak and NYR draftee (now UFA) Adam Huska

They played together in Finland this year

 

[cwede]

They played together in Finland this year

right, at WC, of course, thanks

 

[UnSandvich]

I think he brings more to the table than Hagelin with one major exception. Hagelin is one of the fastest skaters in the NHL whereas scouting reports show skating speed as Sykora's weakness. Sykora is yound and hopefully his speed improves, but that could be a concern for the type of player he is.

Whereas SOME scouting reports show skating speed as Sykora's weakness. And others have it as a strength. Sources that i actually trust, like Redline Report, EliteProspects, LastWord and HockeyProspect.com.

EDIT:
"Kalakeche, like Cam Robinson of EliteProspects, suggests that Sykora could be a late first round pick. Kalakeche is the first I’ve seen other than his fellow Dobber writer High to say Sykora lacks pace. He did have plenty of good things to say about Sykora, and considers him a safe pick to make the NHL."

Adam Sykora: 2022 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: The Defensive Whiz

Adam Sykora is considered one of the best defensive players in this year’s draft, and he has some interesting aspects to his game that could make him a first round pick

www.allaboutthejersey.com

Exactly 2 people that i've seen are saying he lacks pace. And both of them come from the same scouting service.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

he is listed as C/LW. Will Rangers try to groom him as a center?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

he is listed as C/LW. Will Rangers try to groom him as a center?

 

[rangersfansince08]

Good that he can play RW.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Good that he can play RW.

He played RW for HK Nitra.

 

[2014nyr]

Whereas SOME scouting reports show skating speed as Sykora's weakness. And others have it as a strength. Sources that i actually trust, like Redline Report, EliteProspects, LastWord and HockeyProspect.com.

EDIT:
"Kalakeche, like Cam Robinson of EliteProspects, suggests that Sykora could be a late first round pick. Kalakeche is the first I’ve seen other than his fellow Dobber writer High to say Sykora lacks pace. He did have plenty of good things to say about Sykora, and considers him a safe pick to make the NHL."

Adam Sykora: 2022 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: The Defensive Whiz

Adam Sykora is considered one of the best defensive players in this year’s draft, and he has some interesting aspects to his game that could make him a first round pick

www.allaboutthejersey.com

Exactly 2 people that i've seen are saying he lacks pace. And both of them come from the same scouting service.

this is conflated language around 2 different things. the skating as a weakness bit is about his top straight line speed over distance, which isnt slow, just isn't super fast. hockey is a game of 10 foot races though, and hes as quick as anyone off the hop/using stops / starts to lose defenders/close on pucks. its really hard to teach that kind of quickness....it can be improved, but only marginally by this level. the distance speed can be improved and is much less of a factor as long as you arent a complete sloth. i dont see that as much of an issue for him, but your stride when you open it up can be worked on and cleaned up to a point you can make a lot of improvement. its a far easier thing to do than to become more explosive in small areas / from a stop. its also something that generally just improves as these kids develop and add muscle too. in sykoras case hes one of the youngest kids in the draft and wont be 18 until september as well.

 

[Kravtsov420]

From the tape I’ve seen, he has great acceleration, and so that’s why his top speed isn’t such a big issue. It’s not up for discussion, let’s move it or lose it people

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

From the tape I’ve seen, he has great acceleration, and so that’s why his top speed isn’t such a big issue. It’s not up for discussion, let’s move it or lose it people

Yup.

His first 2 steps are excellent bordering on elite.

After that, he’s okay. Getting stronger should help him get faster.

 

[Kajoo72]

Is he the son of any Sykora we knew and loved or hated?

Adam is Petr’s grandmother from what I heard but I might be wrong

 

[will1066]

Adam is Petr’s grandmother from what I heard but I might be wrong

I don't doubt this, but the only way to be sure is to check on ancestry dot com.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

I'm REALLY excited to see him play next month at the WJCs. He's been playing against men for a bit and I feel like he has the potential to really open a few eyes in this tournament. I think he is going to come across as a huge huge pest and entertain us.

Plus it will be the first time we all get to watch him for ourselves. Between him and Berard, they could be fun sparkplugs to watch.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I'm REALLY excited to see him play next month at the WJCs. He's been playing against men for a bit and I feel like he has the potential to really open a few eyes in this tournament. I think he is going to come across as a huge huge pest and entertain us.

Plus it will be the first time we all get to watch him for ourselves. Between him and Berard, they could be fun sparkplugs to watch.

Cuylle for Canada
Berard for USA
Sýkora for Slovakia

WJC will be fun for sure. I'm hoping Othmann and Chmelař make it too

 

[Crease]

Adam is Petr’s grandmother from what I heard but I might be wrong

Which Petr Sykora?

 

[will1066]

Which Petr Sykora?

I will bet your bottom dollar that Michal is in the family tree as well.

 

[bl02]

Cuylle for Canada
Berard for USA
Sýkora for Slovakia

WJC will be fun for sure. I'm hoping Othmann and Chmelař make it too

Is Garand starting for Canada?
I can't believe Othmann won't make it.
When do they finalize the rosters?

 

[Antiillafire]

I'm REALLY excited to see him play next month at the WJCs. He's been playing against men for a bit and I feel like he has the potential to really open a few eyes in this tournament. I think he is going to come across as a huge huge pest and entertain us.

Plus it will be the first time we all get to watch him for ourselves. Between him and Berard, they could be fun sparkplugs to watch.

Before the draft I imagined a bottom 6 role for Syky but now with Slaf not going, and Mesar being a maybe, its probably opened up a top 6 role for him. Also first line Pk

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Is Garand starting for Canada?
I can't believe Othmann won't make it.
When do they finalize the rosters?

Othmann was invited to the 2023 WJC camp, but no news yet about him making the team for the postponed 2022 WJC.

 

[RangerBoy]

 

[JohnC]

But why hasn’t Kakko re-signed yet??

 

[Antiillafire]

I wouldn’t be totally surprised if Nitra releases him and he’s in Hartford for this season. Nitra just signed a few top 6 guys, and have young 2005s to give ice time

 

[Thirty One]

I wouldn’t be totally surprised if Nitra releases him and he’s in Hartford for this season. Nitra just signed a few top 6 guys, and have young 2005s to give ice time

Sounds like it will be Medicine Hat if he comes over.

 

[Mac n Gs]

I wouldn’t be totally surprised if Nitra releases him and he’s in Hartford for this season. Nitra just signed a few top 6 guys, and have young 2005s to give ice time

I don't believe that he'd be eligible to play in Hartford until next season (@Amazing Kreiderman this one is for you). If anything, he'd go to the WHL and play for Medicine Hat.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I don't believe that he'd be eligible to play in Hartford until next season (@Amazing Kreiderman this one is for you). If anything, he'd go to the WHL and play for Medicine Hat.

Most likely the case.

MH's had the top pick in the last WHL draft and took a kid who is 14 (won't be 15 until late December!) Can a 14 year old even play in the CHL? Have to imagine Sykora will be playing with him.